WALKING WILLIE

To assist students in developing their cardiorespitory endurance.

Many paper markers (similiar to book markers).

Scattered, students moving

Measure off an are of your field or gym. Use a measuring wheel to determine how many times around it is equal to one mile. Have students walk this area for a given amount of time (you can start off with a few minutes and progress.. my students build up to ten minute time limit). As each student completes a lap around the area, hand them one of the paper markers. At the end of the time period, have students stop and count the markers. Determine how many miles the total class has walked (may need to do this later if time is a problem: if it is not, this is a good "counting" activity for the class). I post the miles students have walked by using a "Walking Willie Worm"- he grows a segment by each mile that has been walked.

Notes:

This is a great "instant activity, or beginning of class warm up. Use this activity as part of a "Mile Walker's Club"--any student who can walk a mile in 10 minutes belongs in the club. This activity has been very successful for students in my Special Education classes.

Make the playing area either larger or smaller, depending on the style of game and the number of players.